asdormire

I have repair tape that I use on the Italien box, but the Trinit College I think that the air is going straight through the bellows everywher, more like cheesecloth. Alan

Folks may want to read my recent post "A sad story" as it pertains to the topic, but I didn't want to hijack this thread. Alan

I was on e-bay and saw a posting (I was going to say ad, but since this an international crowd, I decided not too) for an Trinity College Concertina, that looks just like the one I bought in 1990. So I got out my old friend, as I have been ignoring it in favor of my very pretty Tedrow box and the old beat up italien box I bought off of ebay in 1999. Was I ever shocked. I could only get one note to sound on a full bellows, or pulling the bellows fully out. It truly saddens me that I spent that money, and now the thing is unoperatable. I know that when I had it with me at the Dublin (Buckeyeland) Irish Festival, it was slow, and Bob Tedrow gave it a disgusted look and told me I should by a decent one, especially since I had regularly purchased descent instraments for my wife. As a matter of fact, he told me I deserved it, (a good friend that Bob is). He had a black british made concertina there that I would have loved to have had, (this was before he was making his instraments, I believe, and for a while, there was a lovely picture of me playing it at the festival on his website) but the cash flow wouldn't allow it at the time. Any way, as you all can see, my first box is dead. For those of you out there thinking of buying an inexpensive box, don't. This boxes bellows are cardboard and cloth, and I can't even feel any air coming from them, like I can from the italien box, which is cardboard and extremely thin leather, when it has a small leak. Yet, I know, they aren't holding or more to the point, allowing enough air pressure to do their job. I also know, as stated elsewhere, the inexpensive boxes held me back, because I am picking up tunes at a fair clip on the Tedrow, especially since I already had the basics down, but I can't imagine how this could have affected a child who wanted to lay music, but really didn't have a decent instrament to play on. One last thought, would it be worth trying to improve the bellows, ie rebuild, or completely replace? Alan

Considering I had seen enough episodes to have a reasonable conversation on the subject with you in that thread, Peter, I would say yes. I don't know if an american version would fly, but I enjoyed the broadcasts I saw of the British show. Still wondering if your adventure will ever be shown in the Columbus market. Alan

Make the kid pay for his own education, my dad did. (All right, there were eight other childrenliving there when I left for university, and nine by the time I was supposed to finish, so there really wasn't any money around for education, but that is beside the point) Alan

I like that term "car boot sale." I immediately knew what Dave meant, but still, it just creates such a picture. Alan

If you were around here, I would send you out to the harness shop and tell you to ask the little Amish women who runs it to make some straps for you. Maybe you could find a leather worker out there? Alan

Sounds quite prestigeous. Congratulations. Alan

[The story was set in Central City, Where was the Flash? Alan

Bob--the boss says, "no pictures, yet?" I say, sounds like a great idea, especially since recently I've seen posts from two other folks here in the Columbus area. I guess I'll send you an e-mail Monday, as we are getting ready to go to MI. Alan

Actually, I thought your charts were right nice, reall pretty as amatter of fact. Alan

I am glad I am not the only one who found that instrument fascinating, Has any one ever worked on those wood actions before? The oldest box I own has them, and some times I wish I could tighten up the action on them. Alan

I just noticed I didn't tell you where they are at. The shop is located on South High, a couple of blocks south of Greenlawn. If coming down I-70, just get off at the Greenlawn Exit, Turn left go sraight to High, turning Right. The store is on the left (East ) side of the road, and the sign has a big guitar on it. Alan

From your link, I assume you are in Westerville? If you are, the last time I checked Bluegrass Musician supply had several anglo starter books, and while the folks who work here won't know much about your instrument, they are extremely helpful. Just tell them Alan sent you down there for the books. The books should be in the back of the store underneath the banjo books shelf. Sometimes they also have some of the video/DVD instructionall material as well in stock. Again, good folks, locally owned, and extremely helpful. Alan

Feel free to send me an e-mail (asdormire@sbcglobal.net) or one of the message things on this board, I'm in Dublin. Not that I am an expert or anything, but it might be fun to get together, and look at your new concertina. Alan

Just where in Buckeyeland are you, eh? Alan

I absolutely love the repair video, I think I have to get it out again and watch. Alan

I have a box very similar to that one, but my actions are wooden, but I would swear the reed plates are the same. Not great, but playable, though probably much older. Alan

We made it, despite having the hand written directions at home. In the above picture, my head is to the right of the sweet Allison, and my wife has some how ended up next to Richard, which was probaly his doing, as he was taking a lot of the group pictures, then ran in to have a picture taken with himself in it. Had a good time, and whenever my computer is finished being repaired I will try to write a proper report. Alan

I am on a borrowed computer at the moment, as ours decided to die, which is making things odd. I am going to to send Richard e-mail about cabin availability at this late date, as Robin has said make the arraingements. No guarantee as to whether this is a go, but we'll see. Alan

Looks nice Alan

Ya, I figured that out after I posted. Alan

Looks cool, but I never get anything in german on my searches Alan

Are you sure they aren't using a drop shipper? Alan

Okay, then, thanks for all the help. This is obviously far more free form than a bluegrass festival or some of the other music festivals I have attended. That is probably why I was confused, even though I read several of the reviews. On the other hand,I also have to explain this to the scientist wife, who likes everything laid out like one of her experiments. Now we just have to figure out if everything works out to make this reasonable. Again, I appreciate all the help folks have given, both here and in private messages. Alan